XML 28 R15.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.10.0.1
Contingencies
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Contingencies
Contingencies
Brazil Internal Investigation

On August 29, 2018, we received a letter from the Division of Enforcement of the SEC informing us that the Division had concluded its investigation into previously disclosed alleged irregularities related to the drilling services agreement with Petrobras for ENSCO DS-5 (the “DSA”) and does not intend to recommend any enforcement action against us. On August 31, 2018, we received a letter from the DOJ stating that it had closed the inquiry into this matter and acknowledging our full cooperation with the investigation. Our investigation did not identify any evidence that Pride International LLC (“Pride”) or Ensco or any of their current or former employees were aware of or involved in any wrongdoing. For additional information about this investigation and the DSA dispute discussed below, see Note 10 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2018.

In August 2017, one of our Brazilian subsidiaries was contacted by the Office of the Attorney General for the Brazilian state of Paraná in connection with a criminal investigation procedure initiated against agents of both Samsung Heavy Industries, a shipyard in South Korea (“SHI”), and Pride in relation to the DSA. The Brazilian authorities requested information regarding our compliance program and the findings of our internal investigations. We cooperated with the Office of the Attorney General and provided documents in response to its request. We cannot predict the scope or ultimate outcome of this procedure or whether any Brazilian governmental authority will open an investigation into Pride’s involvement in this matter, or if a proceeding were opened, the scope or ultimate outcome of any such investigation.

DSA Dispute

On January 4, 2016, Petrobras sent a notice to us declaring the DSA void effective immediately, reserving its rights and stating its intention to seek any restitution to which it may be entitled. The previously disclosed arbitral hearing on liability related to the matter was held in March 2018. Prior to the arbitration tribunal issuing its decision, we and Petrobras agreed in August 2018 to a settlement of all claims relating to the DSA. No payments were made by either party in connection with the settlement agreement. The parties agreed to normalize business relations and the settlement agreement provides for our participation in current and future Petrobras tenders on the same basis as all other companies invited to these tenders. No losses were recognized during the current period with respect to this settlement as all disputed receivables with Petrobras related to the DSA were fully reserved in 2015.

In November 2016, we initiated separate arbitration proceedings in the U.K. against SHI for any losses we incur in connection with the foregoing Petrobras arbitration. SHI subsequently filed a statement of defense disputing our claim. In January 2018, the arbitration tribunal for the SHI matter issued an award on liability fully in our favor. SHI is liable to us for $10.0 million or damages that we can prove. We have submitted to the tribunal our claim for damages. The arbitral hearing on damages owed to us by SHI is scheduled to take place in the first quarter of 2019. We are unable to estimate the ultimate outcome of recovery for damages at this time.

Other Matters

In addition to the foregoing, we are named defendants or parties in certain other lawsuits, claims or proceedings incidental to our business and are involved from time to time as parties to governmental investigations or proceedings, including matters related to taxation, arising in the ordinary course of business. Although the outcome of such lawsuits or other proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty and the amount of any liability that could arise with respect to such lawsuits or other proceedings cannot be predicted accurately, we do not expect these matters to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, operating results or cash flows.

In the ordinary course of business with customers and others, we have entered into letters of credit to guarantee our performance as it relates to our drilling contracts, contract bidding, customs duties, tax appeals and other obligations in various jurisdictions. Letters of credit outstanding as of September 30, 2018 totaled $124.3 million and are issued under facilities provided by various banks and other financial institutions. Obligations under these letters of credit and surety bonds are not normally called, as we typically comply with the underlying performance requirement. As of September 30, 2018, we had not been required to make collateral deposits with respect to these agreements.